First 1911 build underway ***Done*** > 1911 Discussions

Posted: 2/15/2016 4:13:22 PM EDT

I've built a lot of things but never a 1911 so figured I'd give it a shot. Starting with a TM 80% frame and a sig 1911 slide off eBay and a bunch of ed Brown and nighthawk parts.... this should be fun!
I'll update with progress

Posted: 2/15/2016 5:23:07 PM EDT

[#1]

Tag! Very neat!

Posted: 2/15/2016 5:40:15 PM EDT

[#2]

It's a lot of work, but a lot more fun.
Anxiously awaiting updates.

Posted: 2/15/2016 6:14:21 PM EDT

[#3]

This is relative to my interest.

Posted: 2/15/2016 6:24:17 PM EDT

[#4]

What did you have to do to the frame to make it complete?

Posted: 2/15/2016 7:18:58 PM EDT

[#5]

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Quoted:
What did you have to do to the frame to make it complete?

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I had to mill the slide rails slots, ball mill the barrel support channel and drill the sear and hammer holes.
Tactical Machine list all the info on their site.

Posted: 2/15/2016 7:58:00 PM EDT

[#6]

Tag for progress reports.

Posted: 2/15/2016 8:13:11 PM EDT

[#7]

Tag.

Posted: 2/15/2016 8:26:06 PM EDT

[#8]

Nice job so far, especially with the hand checkering! That sig slide really matches that TM receiver quite well.

Are you planning on undercutting the TG at all? I would since you've got it in the raw right now.

You've also got me now thinking about building the 4 Caspian/Foster frames I have....and also finish my dozen 80% frames I got about 10 years ago

. Would be good practice for building my "grail gun" since I've not built a 1911 from the ground up in about 8 years

Posted: 2/15/2016 9:05:05 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nice job so far, especially with the hand checkering! That sig slide really matches that TM receiver quite well.

Are you planning on undercutting the TG at all? I would since you've got it in the raw right now.

You've also got me now thinking about building the 4 Caspian/Foster frames I have....and also finish my dozen 80% frames I got about 10 years ago

. Would be good practice for building my "grail gun" since I've not built a 1911 from the ground up in about 8 years

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Thanks I knew I forgot to do something to the frame.... I'll undercut the trigger guard tomorrow after I finish tri topping the slide

Posted: 2/15/2016 9:20:20 PM EDT

[#10]

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Quoted:

Thanks I knew I forgot to do something to the frame.... I'll undercut the trigger guard tomorrow after I finish tri topping the slide

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Post pics when you do. Machining porn is awesome

. I'm interested to see what you end up doing with the slide.

Posted: 2/15/2016 9:56:20 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

Post pics when you do. Machining porn is awesome

. I'm interested to see what you end up doing with the slide.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

Thanks I knew I forgot to do something to the frame.... I'll undercut the trigger guard tomorrow after I finish tri topping the slide

Post pics when you do. Machining porn is awesome

. I'm interested to see what you end up doing with the slide.

Absolutely!

Where did you get your parts list and how did you decide on which parts to use OP?

Posted: 2/15/2016 10:03:33 PM EDT

[#12]

Parts selection usually comes down to personal preferences and how you want the end product to look.

(ETA) and cost and availability as well

. it's kind of inevitable you will have to make adjustments to your build based on what parts are in stock with whoever it is you place your order.

Posted: 2/15/2016 11:55:28 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
Absolutely!

Where did you get your parts list and how did you decide on which parts to use OP?

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

Thanks I knew I forgot to do something to the frame.... I'll undercut the trigger guard tomorrow after I finish tri topping the slide

Post pics when you do. Machining porn is awesome

. I'm interested to see what you end up doing with the slide.

Absolutely!

Where did you get your parts list and how did you decide on which parts to use OP?

Yeah pretty much knew a few parts I definitely wanted to use and what I wanted the finished gun to look like. I figured I really couldn't go wrong with Ed Brown and Nighthawk parts and not that this is a budget build but the Brown parts are a little more economical. The slide was my only problem part, I couldn't find one with features I wanted for less than $300-$400 and just didn't want to spend that much on it. I found the Sig slide on eBay for $190 stripped and it has enough material on top for what I wanted to do so I'm giving it a try.

Posted: 2/16/2016 8:17:15 PM EDT

[#14]

Pretty much got the frame and slide done. Didn't go that deep on the TG undercut but it fits my hand good so that's good enough for me. Hopefully ill cerakote tomorrow or Thursday.

Posted: 2/16/2016 8:21:07 PM EDT

[#15]

Very pretty. I will have a mill again...

Posted: 2/17/2016 1:16:24 AM EDT

[#16]

Does the sig slide any proprietary parts to it?

Posted: 2/17/2016 1:42:22 AM EDT

[#17]

Beautiful work. I love that frame with the forward indexing point for your support thumb.

Posted: 2/17/2016 9:29:29 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Does the sig slide any proprietary parts to it?

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Yes, the extractor system is different

Posted: 2/18/2016 10:52:33 PM EDT

[#19]

Fresh out of the oven

Should finish this project up tomorrow

Posted: 2/19/2016 2:35:22 PM EDT

[#20]

Done, what do you think?
I hope it works....

Posted: 2/19/2016 3:32:36 PM EDT

[#21]

That is awesome! Wish I knew how to do checkering.

Posted: 2/19/2016 3:48:13 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
That is awesome! Wish I knew how to do checkering.

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It's pretty easy just takes a bit of time, this was my first time doing it

Posted: 2/19/2016 3:48:43 PM EDT

[#23]

Looks pretty damn good. I am not a fan of the Sig slides for their boxy square cut. I would only buy them in the "traditional" models they offer. That tri top really shakes that notion.

Beautiful gun and overall build.

Posted: 2/19/2016 4:25:58 PM EDT

[#24]

That is one of the nicest 1911s I have ever seen.

Posted: 2/19/2016 4:36:38 PM EDT

[#25]

Thanks for inviting us along for that build.

Fine attention to detail. Really looks fantastic.

Posted: 2/19/2016 4:50:58 PM EDT

[#26]

wow, That looks amazing. My 1911 is the early blue Delta elite and have no other experiance really with 1911
All the color, checkering, sights, grips, just everything.
Great job and thanks for sharing.

Posted: 2/19/2016 4:57:36 PM EDT

[#27]

nice work!

Posted: 2/19/2016 5:32:56 PM EDT

[#28]

freak'n beautiful

Posted: 2/19/2016 6:19:33 PM EDT

[#29]

Nice looking 1911 there. You make it look easy. Are you a machinist by trade?

Posted: 2/19/2016 6:35:02 PM EDT

[#30]

Absolutely gorgeous. Induct this man into the pistolsmith's guild!

Posted: 2/19/2016 6:42:42 PM EDT

[#31]

Awesome

Posted: 2/19/2016 10:31:18 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nice looking 1911 there. You make it look easy. Are you a machinist by trade?

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Hey thanks everyone for all the complements, I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

No I'm not a machinist, I'm a finish carpenter. This is my hobby and I have a complete machine shop in my basement but I usually build custom ar15's, sr25's and glocks for myself friends and locals who know my work.

Posted: 2/19/2016 10:38:40 PM EDT

[#33]

Very freaking awesome!!!!!

Posted: 2/20/2016 3:28:09 PM EDT

[#34]

That really turned out nice. I've been following from the start.

Great Job !

Posted: 2/20/2016 4:47:47 PM EDT

[#35]

Looks great and that you should be building more

Posted: 2/23/2016 11:14:00 AM EDT

[#36]

You did a fantastic job! I envy your skills.

Posted: 2/23/2016 12:16:18 PM EDT

[#37]

I really love the way this came out.

Posted: 2/23/2016 4:03:06 PM EDT

[#38]

Thanks again guy's!
Ill update again after I go to the range

Posted: 2/23/2016 8:08:13 PM EDT

[#39]

Congrats, what a great looking, fun pistol!

In the photos, I'm having trouble seeing the cushion or padding between the slide/frame and the teeth of the vise.

Posted: 2/23/2016 10:52:07 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
Congrats, what a great looking, fun pistol!

In the photos, I'm having trouble seeing the cushion or padding between the slide/frame and the teeth of the vise.

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No teeth and there aluminum soft jaws

Posted: 2/24/2016 12:24:34 AM EDT

[#41]

Hey man nice build again!

How many hours total do you think you have in it on the build? Also, what type of setup do you have to work with, mill etc.

Thanks!

Posted: 2/24/2016 12:39:13 AM EDT

[#42]

That's awesome.

Posted: 2/24/2016 12:41:12 AM EDT

[#43]

Awesome work! Love everything but the external extractor...

I think you could make some money doing that!

Posted: 2/24/2016 1:21:46 AM EDT

[#44]

Damn, that looks great dude, nice work!

Posted: 2/24/2016 10:14:49 AM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hey man nice build again!

How many hours total do you think you have in it on the build? Also, what type of setup do you have to work with, mill etc.

Thanks!

View Quote

45-50 hrs total. I pretty much have complete shop, lathe, mill, drill press, power hacksaw, welders, oven, blast cabinet, engraver and a bunch of other stuff. It's all manual no cnc stuff.

Posted: 2/24/2016 10:40:37 AM EDT

[#46]

Looks great! Jealous!

Posted: 2/24/2016 7:35:01 PM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:
Done, what do you think?
I hope it works....

<a href="http://s186.photobucket.com/user/johnnyo223/media/2016-02/973654BE-AE60-4ED0-BAD7-1692F9611091.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x255/johnnyo223/2016-02/973654BE-AE60-4ED0-BAD7-1692F9611091.jpg</a>
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Great job OP!

Posted: 2/24/2016 8:15:27 PM EDT

[#48]

Nice work!

Posted: 3/2/2016 10:35:43 PM EDT

[#49]

Finally got to shoot it today.... it almost functioned flawlessly, not one hiccup out of 100 230gr ball factory ammo. It did have 2 ftf's out of 10 with 185gr semi wadcutter hand loads that I used for the 25 yd target for some accuracy testing. But mostly I was just having fun shooting it.
I'm very pleased at how this turned out.